UK Probes Power Grid After Heathrow Shutdown

A substation fire that shut Heathrow Airport has sparked a government probe into the U.K.’s energy resilience.

The British government has launched an investigation into the country’s energy resilience after a fire at an electrical substation shut down Heathrow Airport for nearly a day, raising concerns about the U.K.'s ability to withstand disasters or attacks on critical infrastructure.

The fire broke out at the North Hyde substation in west London, which supplies power to the airport, leading to thousands of canceled flights and stranding passengers worldwide.

The investigation, led by the body that operates Britain’s electricity grid, aims to clarify the circumstances of the incident and assess the broader resilience of the U.K.'s energy infrastructure to prevent future disruptions. A report is expected within six weeks.

Although Heathrow has since resumed full operations, thousands of passengers remain stranded. Airlines have warned that severe disruptions will continue for days as they work to reposition aircraft and crews and get travelers to their destinations.

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